WSOC: Mount Royal's Tamara Djurisic named Player of the Year

Oct. 29, 2025 - Mount Royal midfielder Tamara Djurisic has been named the 2025 Canada West women's soccer Player of the Year.

The Edmonton, Alta. product was the heartbeat of a Cougars squad that enjoyed one of their best regular seasons in program history, compiling a 10-3-1 record and finishing second in the highly competitive Prairie Division. Using her elite playmaking and finishing ability, Djurisic co-led the conference in scoring with nine goals in 14 games. She also added five assists for a total of 14 points, the second-highest total in the conference.

Her outstanding season rewrote the Cougars history books, as she became the program's all-time leading goal scorer - in just her third season. Her nine goals also set a new program record for most goals in a single Canada West campaign.

Her scoring touch was key in helping the Cougars advance to the Canada West Final Four for the first time in program history last weekend, as she scored a crucial tying goal in a 2-1 comeback victory over UBCO. She'll look to help the Cougars earn their first Canada West Final berth when they battle UBC in the semifinals on Thursday afternoon (3:30 p.m. PDT at Ken Woods Field in Vancouver).

Djurisic headlines an impressive group of major award winners announced by the conference on Wednesday morning.

The UBC Thunderbirds featured a trio of major award winners after recording another perfect regular season, including Rookie of the Year Sophie Harrison, Defensive Player of the Year Ella Sunde, and Coach of the Year Jesse Symons.

Erin Stewart of the Trinity Western Spartans was named the Student-Athlete Community Service Award recipient for her selfless dedication to volunteering and serving others, both locally and internationally.

MAJOR AWARD WINNERS

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Tamara Djurisic (Mount Royal Cougars)

Midfield | Third Year | Edmonton, Alta.

Third-year midfielder Tamara Djurisic proved invaluable for Mount Royal on the pitch this season, leading her team to their best historical finish in the regular season.

A power to be reckoned with on the pitch, the midfielder delivered an outstanding season while leading the conference with nine goals. She also led the Cougars with five assists, and was second in the conference in total points with 14.

Djurisic now holds the Mount Royal women’s soccer record for most goals scored in a single season and is already the program's all-time leading goal scorer, an incredible feat in only three seasons.

"Tamara’s recognition as CW Player of the Year is a testament to her exceptional talent, unwavering consistency, and the special quality she brings to every moment on the field. She not only raises the level of play through her individual brilliance, but also embodies what it means to be a truly outstanding teammate, inspiring and elevating everyone around her." - Tino Fusco, MRU Women’s Soccer Head Coach

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Ella Sunde (UBC Thunderbirds)

Defender | Fourth Year | North Vancouver, B.C.

A stalwart on defence and a threat on offence, Ella Sunde is a true all-around leader on and off the pitch for the Thunderbirds and a well-deserving recipient of the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year, the third straight season a T-Bird has received the honour.

With six goals and four assists, the fourth-year defender from North Vancouver finished second in team scoring despite missing four regular season contests due to injury.

An All-Canadian Rookie in 2022, Sunde was named to this year’s Canada West All-Star squad and has been a vital contributor at both ends of the pitch over her four-year Thunderbird career.

“Every time she stepped on the pitch, she was the best player on the field, both attacking and defending. To get ten points in ten games over the season and find ways to really contribute defensively, to manage players was impressive all year. She’s shown her leadership as a player too with our team this season and has really managed a young back line with two first years and a second year. The leadership and maturity she has as a senior player has been amazing for our team.” - UBC Head Coach Jesse Symons

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Sophie Harrison (UBC Thunderbirds)

Defender | First Year | Bedford, England

In just her first Canada West season, Sophie Harrison proved right off the hop she is one of the top defenders in the entire conference, if not the country.

Starting in each of UBC’s 14 regular season contests, the English national can claim plenty of credit for the Thunderbirds’ record-setting campaign in which the team did not concede a single goal – the first such accomplishment in Canada West history.

In addition to her defensive prowess, Harrison amassed four assists on the season, including a pair in UBC’s final regular season game against the Victoria Vikes.

Harrison is the third Thunderbird in a row to be honoured as Canada West Rookie of the Year.

“Coming over from Europe to join us and to really transform our team with how we play in possession and her ability defensively is on another level. For me, she is such a deserving winner, she has showcased herself both attacking and defending, she’s managed some of the best wingers in this country all season. I’m so proud that she chose UBC. She’s playing for our team, really contributing and what a future she has.” - UBC Head Coach Jesse Symons

STUDENT-ATHLETE COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD: Erin Stewart (Trinity Western Spartans)

Midfielder | Fifth Year | Winnipeg, Man.

From the moment she joined the Spartans, Erin Stewart has been a tremendous role model, showcasing an unwavering dedication to serving others.

Erin's commitment to community runs deep, both locally and internationally. Each week, she volunteers with TeamUp Canada, helping to launch an inner-city school program that provides more than 50 kids the chance to play organized soccer while giving student-athletes an opportunity to serve as mentors. She also helps lead TeamUp’s summer soccer camps in Chilliwack, coordinating programs for more than 225 children each year in partnership with local organizations and social programs that support under-resourced youth.

Her passion for sport as a means of connection has extended to after-school programs in Burnaby and Chilliwack, where she has led activities and coached soccer for dozens of kids, creating inclusive spaces that combine sport, learning, and belonging. Beyond Canada, Erin has participated in three overseas service projects — in Paraguay, Peru, and Uganda — raising her own funds to help deliver sports programs, assist with building projects, and support local organizations bringing hope and opportunity to underserved communities.

Within the Spartans women’s soccer program, Erin plays a vital leadership role coordinating community outreach. She has recruited and organized volunteers for initiatives such as school mentorship programs and meal services for unhoused individuals, ensuring her teammates share in the same spirit of service she embodies.

“Since her first year as a Spartan, I knew Erin’s heart for others and willingness to serve was an important part of who she is. I have been so blessed to watch her grow as a servant leader and as an athlete and person who regularly receives the joy of loving and living for others. She is a servant through and through. She models volunteering, but does so in a way that I believe is healthy and inspiring because she knows that in blessing others she will equally be the beneficiary of all that she has done. From serving locally in Burnaby, Chilliwack and Langley with kids who need love and attention, she gives everything in her heart to bring joy. Her work internationally and allowing herself to put others first has been inspiring to us all. She owns and models the heartbeat of our program and I am so proud she is being recognized for this award. Erin, in her humility, just continues to serve and prioritize the use of her resources to impact the lives of many.” - Spartans Head Coach Graham Roxburgh

COACH OF THE YEAR: Jesse Symons (UBC Thunderbirds)

​ ​ ​ ​ • 10th Season

Jesse Symons’ tenth season with the Thunderbirds has seen the two-time defending U SPORTS Champion head coach hit even new heights. Leading his squad to a second consecutive undefeated conference season, 2025 saw the T-Birds set a new Canada West record by not conceding a single goal.

Despite losing several key players to injury just prior to the start of the season, Symons managed to engineer a campaign for the ages, now just one win away from securing a berth at the national championship tournament where UBC would have the opportunity to become the first team in U SPORTS history to win three straight titles.

Symons has led the T-Birds to three national championships in his tenure along with three Canada West titles. This is his third straight Canada West Coach of the Year award, having also won the national honour in 2024.

“Jesse continues to push his program forward and provide new benchmarks for success both on and off the pitch. Along with the many wins and records set over his time at UBC, Jesse has developed a positive team culture extending well beyond the field of play. He has helped attract top end talent from across Canada and beyond and developed many athletes who have gone on to the next level in soccer and numerous other fields, all the while creating fantastic ambassadors for what the Thunderbirds are all about. We are very proud of Jesse’s many accomplishments so far and excited for what he will continue to bring to our program. Go T-Birds!” - UBC Athletic Director, Kavie Toor